Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-02-11
Vigilance and Reform.
wooDsrDE, February 8, 1887.

There are some subjects Of public concern
in which /, in common with all who think
seriously at all, feel deep interest, and not
least among them is the management of our
Political affairs.
even casual and hasty glance at the history
of nations, or look into the great piano.
rama of human events, without being forci-
bly, struck and deeply impressed with the
fact that, as a general rule, in every age and
cline, by the connivance, duplicity and ay-
arice of wicked, INSCRIPTIONS and artful
men, the masses of the people have been ep-
pressed continually and made To bear great
Affections in order tAat few, comparative
ly, might live In pomp and splendor and in
dulge in idleness, gross debauchery and riot
Gus living. With such picture before us
how can we help feeling a deep selicitude
for the safety and permanency of our grand
as well as humane political system, under
which for more than century we have en-
joyed, and are still enjoying the inestimable
blessings which can only flow from pure
fountain of civil and religious liberty.
How can we help feeling anxious to keep
the fountain pure in order that cur children
and their posterity may inherit from us the
substantial comforts which were left in store
for us by our ancestors, bearing in mind, as
we Should, that it was accomplished at the
expense of great personal sacrifice and suf
fering.
But how shall we keep it pure unless it is
by avigilant and judicious use Of our only
weapon of defence of which, as yet, we have
never been robbed-the ballot. And here
| would suggest that it is duty which
thoughtful and prudent men owe TO them
selves, their families and their country, to
take some pains to exercise a salutary in
fiuence with those around them who, from
lack OF information and experience, may by
artful politicians be induced TO use their
privilege to their and our ultimate destruc-
ton. But as the work Of man is, like him
self, imperfect, there can be no such thing
as a stand still in the admi illustration OF gov
eminent or other human affairs any more
than in the works of nature, therefore there
must always be room and necessity for re-
form. We must 20 forward and improve,
or at any rate regain any ground that we
have lost, or we must retrograde, degenerate
and ultimately be driven from the field.
Taking In this connection the fact that in
our recent political history we have upon
the part of political leaders cropping. out
OF all that avarice, duplicty, arrogance and
sehshness to which we have alluded, is ii
to be wondered at that sagacious and patri-
otto citizens, observing the corrupting in
fiuences of such men within the lines of a
party to which they have given lifelong
support, and by the instrumentality Of which
they can only hope 10 maintain good gov
eminent, should meet and confer together
and raise the cry for reform within their
own party lines?
Such l believe to have been the consider
alton that prompted prominent Democrats
OF the State to meet recently in Baltimore
city and formally demand reform of pc.
litical management within the Democratic
party, especially in Baltimore city. This
movement has been the subject of consider
able comment by our people and press. As
matter OF course those who cannot COM
prehend the possibility of any man taking
an active part in political affairs for higher
motive than his own individual aggrandise-
ment will slur such movement without
regard to the character of the men by whom
1t is made. But judging from the high
character of the latter ia this case and the
bad character of some citizens Of Baltimore
who seem TO he special pets of the bosses, !
am satisfied it is not ALI smoke, but there is
ssme fire there.
Now the point wish to make is that it is
a matter OF serious concern to us, for il the
party machine is SO run in that city as to
throw the balance of power at the Prima-
ries into the hands of the criminal class of
voters its influence will Immediately be felt
In every branch of the State government
the contagion will soon spread through the
counties and finally end in the overthrow
Of the party. The ringeaders and bosses of
such system should certainly be brought
TO Justice, for they are more dangerous to the
State than fellows who will occasionally rob
hen roost or ride off on stolen horse.
A correspondent in your last issue, whose
feelings and views correspond with my owh
in disclaiming identity with any particular
wing OF the party, says, among other things
tina. lie has no Hamilton ar-marks. For
myself perhaps | cannot say that, but wish
to say this, that il by taking a stand with
that veteran Old Democrat in 1881, when
we had gotten things in very bad coaai-
ton, which seemed TO be getti ng worse, and
II by endorsing him since he descended
from the watch towers Of the State, (where
he stood as her faithful sentinel To warn her
Of approaching danger) ana asa private
citizen is persistently battling within the
party lines for better methods and such
measures as will secure for the after the
confidence and respect Of all honest men and
to the people an honest and economical al
minlstration Of the State government, can
be called wearing the Hamilton ear marks
then | confess am wearing those marks
and expect TO carry them with me TO the
grave.
would say further that would like /,
see every good Democrat thus branded and
have no doubt from the tone of your cor.
respondent that, upon examination, he viii
be found to be OF the same stripe, although
his marks may be nearer the heart than the
head,
Yours, very respectfully,
THOMAS WATERS, VI 5.